Katharine McPhee

Katharine Hope McPhee (born March 25, 1984) was a contestant in Season 5 of American Idol.

Audition
Katharine auditioned in San Francisco. She sang "God Bless the Child" by Billie Holliday. All three judges voted "yes", sending her to the next round.

Hollywood Round
Katharine was shown in the first part of Hollywood Round singing "I'll Never Love This Way Again" by Dionne Warwick. She was in a group with Crystal Stark, singing I can't Help Myself by The Four Tops. For her final solo performance, she sang "My Funny Valentine". That performance was enough to make her a member of the final forty-four and at the final deliberation, she was told that she was a member of the Top 24.

Top 24
Katharine sang "Since I Fell for You" by Ella Johnson. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.

Top 20
Katharine sang "All in Love is Fair" by Stevie Wonder. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.

Top 16
Katharine sang "Think" by Aretha Franklin. She received enough votes to become a Top 12 finalist.

Top 12
Katharine sang "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Going to Do)" by Aretha Franklin. She received enough votes to be "safe" for another week.

Top 11
Katharine sang "Come Rain or Come Shine" by Sy Oliver. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for another week.

Top 10
Katharine sang "The Voice Within" by Christina Aguilera. She was placed in the Bottom 2 for that week.

Top 9
Katharine sang "Bringing Out the Elvis in Me" by Faith Hill. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for another week.

Top 8
Katharine sang "Who Wants to Live Forever" by Queen. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for another week.

Top 7
Katharine sang "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Gertrude Lawrence. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.

Top 6
Katharine sang "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. She was among the Top 2 highest vote-getters that week.

Top 5
Katharine sang "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins and "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for another week.

Top 4
Katharine sang a "Hound Dog" and "All Shook Up" mashup and "Can't Help Falling in Love", all by Elvis Presley. She was placed in the Bottom 2 for that week.

Top 3
Katharine sang "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly (as chosen by Clive Davis), "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland (as chosen by Simon Cowell) and "I Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues" by Duke Ellington. She got enough votes to advance to the Finale.

Season 5 Finale
In the Finale, Katharine sang "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall, "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland and "My Destiny". She did not receive more votes than Taylor Hicks, making her the Runner-Up.

After the Show
Katharine appeared in the Finale of Season 18 and served as a Duet Partner for Alyssa Wray and Willie Spence on Season 19.